Earth mover



L. HY'LER EARTH MOVER Aug. 28, 1951 8 SheetsSheet 1 Filed May 27, 1944 ATTORNEY.

L. L. HYLER EARTH MOVER Aug. 28, 1951 Filed May 27, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 28, 1951 L. L. -HYLER 2,555,499

EARTH MOVER Filed May 27, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. L0/'e// Hy/er ATTORNEY.

Filed May 27, 1944 L. L. HYLER EARTH MOVER 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

' ATTORNEY.

L. L. HYLER EARTH MOVER Aug. 28, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 27, 1944 [NVENTUR L0/Ie// L. y/er AT TOENEY Aug. 28, 1951 L. L. HYLER 2,565,499

EARTH MOVER Filed May 27, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. L0/e// L. Hy/rr BY M ATTORNEY.

Aug. 28, 1951 L. L. HYLER EARTH MOVER Filed May 27, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENTOR. L0/e// L. Hy/er BY ATTORNEY.

latentecl Aug. 28, 1951 EARTH MOVER Loiell L. Hyler, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, assignor to La Plant-Ohoate Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Application May 27, 1944, Serial No. 537,623

20 Claims. 3

, My invention relates to material handling machines and is particularly concerned with a vehicle-type device capable of excavating, of carrying and of depositing material such as earth. Earth movers are designed to operate under various different working conditions and especially in soils ranging throughout the entire gamut of soil types. It has been the experience that a machine rather satisfactory in one type of soil may prove to be far less satisfactory in another type of soil, and while an earth mover may be generally suitable under ordinary conditions, it may fall short of optimum performance under extreme or adverse conditions. This is markedly true in connection with operations in very sandy soils or in sand itself. Since sand is far more fluid than other types of materials, it is difiicult to load it into a machine and it is especially difficult to load a large amount of sand into a machine. Some types of soil are diflicult to dislodge from the carrying portion of the machine and tend to remain in position unless forcibly discharged. This effect is sometimes so pronounced that large strains are imposed upon the mechanism during the dislodging operation. In addition, although a mechanism may be otherwise generally satisfactory, I have found it desirable and advantageous to increase the speed of operation of the various parts in order to permit the machine to be operated through a complete cycle within a rela- I tively short time.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide an earth mover not only capable of satisfactory operations under normal conditions, but also effective under adverse conditions and particularly when utilized with sandy soil or sand.

Another object of my invention is to provide an earth mover in which the cycle of operation is relatively rapid.

A further object of my invention is to provide an earth mover in which the forces necessaryto dislodge the load are kept to reasonable values.

An additional object of my invention is to provide an earth mover in which the cycle of operation is mechanically established and controlled.

An additional object of my invention is to provide an earth mover in which the operation of the cutting edge is readily governed by the operator.

A still further object of my invention is in general to provide an improved earth mover.

These objects, together with others, will appear from the following description of my invention when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an earth mover constructed in accordance with my invention, the device being shown in an intermediate carrying position.

t Figure 2 is a plan of the earth mover of my invention in the position shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing in side elevation the earth mover in maximum carrying position.

Figure 4 is a diagram showin in side elevation the earth mover in an intermediate carrying position.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing in side elevation the earth mover in another intermediate carrying or in a leveling position.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing in side elevation the earth mover in an excavating or cutting position.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing in isometric perspective the cable reeving arrangement for controlling the position of the cutting edge.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic View showing in isometric perspective the reeving of the cable effective to control the front apron and pusher operations.

Figure -9 is a fragmentary view, for the most part being in cross section on the line 99 of Figure 2, showing the arrangement of the spring housing and the pusher guide, portions being broken away to reduce the size of the figure.

Figure 10 is a cross section, the plane of which is indicated by the line Ill-Hi of Figure 9, portions of the figure being broken away to reduce its size.

Figure 11 is a diagram of a slightly modified form of earth mover, showing the front apron and pusher in closed position, portions being illustrated in cross section.

Figure 12 is a diagram similar to Figure 11 but showing the parts in a partly open position.

Figure 13 is a diagram similar to Figure 11 but showing the parts in a further opened position.

Figure 14 is a diagram similar to Figure 11 but showing the parts in the fully opened position.

Figure 15 is a diagram similar to Figure 11 but showing the parts in a partially closed position.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary cross section, the plane of which is illustratedby the line I6IB of Figure 1, part of the figure being broken away to reduce its size.

The earth mover of my invention preferably includes a-inain bowl having a cutting edge and being appropriately ground-supported. To the main bowl is articulated a yoke frame, likewise appropriately ground-supported. Fastened to the main bowl and to the yoke frame is a mechanically operated camming mechanism for translating a relatively large amplitude of adjusting motion into a relatively small motion of the cutting edge relative to the yoke frame The forward end of the main bowl adjacent the cutting edge is adapted to be closed by a transverse front apron mounted indirectly on the main bowl and movable up and down between a position closing the front end of the main bowl and another posi: tion leaving the front end of the main bowl open. The rear end of the main bowl is normally closed by a pusher mounted on the main bowl for movement therethrough and having an interconnection with the front apron, so that the pusher and the front apron move conjointly. There are provided mechanical means for exerting forces upon the front apron to open it, upon the pusher to move it through the main bowl. and to condition a mechanism for urging the return of the pusher to its normal position adjacent the rear ,of the main bowl. The interrelatiQnShip of the pusher and the front apron and the arrangement of the operating means for the pusher and the front apron are such that the parts move quickly through their cycles of motion, and are such that the forces involved are not excessive.

Although the earth mover of my invention can readily be embodied in numerous variant forms, it is particularly disclosed herein in one principal form having a modification in one portion of the linkage, so that the description herein applies generally to a preferred embodiment of my earth mover. In the particular form selected and illustrated there is provided a draft tongue 6, partially broken away but of conventional construction, designed to be removably attached to a draft implement such as a Caterpillar tractor (not shown). The tractor is of the usual style utilized in connection with earth movers and is equipped with power operated winches for releasing or regulati l the tension in operating lines, preferably two in number, all under the control of the vehicle operator in the customary fashion. Since these structures are well understood and are standard, they are not illustrated herein.

The draft tongue 6 is appropriately joined to a draft structure 7 incorporating a front axle at the opposite extremities of which are rotatably mounted pneumatically tired, groundrengaging wheels 8 and 9, respectively. Appropriately connected to the axle in any desired fashion for appropriate relative motion therebetween is a yoke frame, generally designated ll. The yoke frame is a structure generally symmetrical about a iongitudinal, vertical plane and is suitably fabricated from metallic plates and shapes with the aid of welding. It includes a central mast It, at its upper end merging with a transverse beam I3, somewhat curved in plan and extending transversely beyond the tread of the wheels 8 and 9 to merge with side beams 14 and 16, respectively. The two side beams extend downwardly and rearwardly from the transverse beam l3 and end in eyes H pivotally engaging pins 18 arranged in transverse alignment and firmly mounted at the opposite sides of a main bowl, generally designated IS.

The main bowl is primarily made up .of a pair of side walls 2| and 22, res ectively,'free ly upstanding along their rectilinear upper edgfi 23 and joined along their lower edges with a bottom pan 24, terminating somewhat short of the forward edges of the side walls. the forward terminus of the bottom pan 24 and xt ndi arms spanning the space between the side walls 2| and 22 is a downwardly directed cutting edge 26, augmented by a pair of longitudinally extending auxiliary cutters 2'! disposed along the lower leading edges of the walls 2| and 22.

The main bowl I9 is appropriately supported not only by the pins [8, but also by connections to a rear axle 28 carrying a pair of pneumatically tired, rear ground-engaging wheels 29 and 31, respectively. The connections between the walls 2! and 2 2, the bottom pan 24 and the rear axle 28 are comprised 9f a plurality of supporting boxes 32 and 33, appropriately connected to the side walls or to braces such as 34. The eifect of the construction is to support the main bowl for generally arcuate motion about the axis of the axle 28 as a center, so that the cutting edge 26 is raised and lowered with respect to the ground 36 in a path which is nearly vertical but is, in fact, arcuate.

The raising and lowering motion of the cutting edge 26 when the main bowl is raised and loweredin an arcuate path is accompanied by a comparable motion of the yoke frame I I, itself moving in a generally arcuate path about the axis of rotation of the wheels 8 and 9 when such wheels are in a straight-ahead position. The arcuate motion of the main bowl and the concomitant motion of the yoke frame is readily permitted by the pins 18 and eyes l1, relatively movable about their own axis parallel to the wheel axes. By the nature of this connection, the arcuate, swinging motions of the main bowl and of the yoke frame, being about different centers, cause a slight longitudinal variation in the vehicle wheel base as the cutting edge is raised and lowered.

In operation generally and in sand, particu larly, it is very desirable to raise and lower the cutting edge quickly between its point of maximum cutting depth and a point adjacent the surface of the ground. In practice, the cutting edge is alternately raised and lowered very quickly, being dropped rapidly into the sand so that advantage is taken of the forward momentum of the tractor and earth mover assembly to scoop up a large load. But this operation is quickly followed by a rapid raising of the cutting edge to reduce the excessive load on the tractor in order not to kill the tractor engine. The described rapid up and down motion of the cutting edge is referred to as pumping and is the most effective technique for loading sand and comparable, relatively fluid soils.

In order to provide not only a satisfactory general control for the relatively articulated main bowl and yoke frame, but also an arrangement effective to produce a rapid pumping action under the control of the operator, I provide a special mounting and interconnecting mechanism between the main bowl and yoke frame. This mechanism is in two principal parts, duplicated on opposite sides of the machine so that a description of the structure at one side is equally applicable to the structure on the other side.

The interconnecting mechanism includes a pendant link 31 at one side of the frame and a comparable pendant link 38 at the opposite side of the frame. The link 31 at its lower end is pierced by a pivot pin 39 suitably journaled be tween the forwardly projecting ears of an extenSiQn 4! at the lower leading corner of the side wall 2! of the main bowl [9. Th intermediate portion of the link 3'! is comprised of a pair of spaced plates 42 and 43, respectively, at their lower ends receiving the pin 39 and disposed on Opposite sides of the side beam I4 of the yoke frame I I with sufficient clearance 50 that the link 31 is readily movable with regard to the box-like side beam I4, yet so that the side beam acts as a guide in the event of excessive transverse stresses being imposed upon the link 31. At its upper end the link 31 is somewhat widened, as shown in Figure 16, to carry a removable pivot pin 44, removably held in place by a cotter key 46. Mounted on the pin 44 is a rail wheel 41, freely rotatable on the pin 44 and resting upon the enlarged head 48 of a cam rail 49 upstandnig from the upper portion of the side beam I4. The wheel 41 is free to roll along the rail 49 as the link 31 pivots about the pin 39.

Pursuant to my invention, the rail 49 is appropriately contoured to define the desired path for the wheel 41 so that the rail, being somewhat longer than its height, affords a force multiplication and a motion reduction in the nature of a camming action. By virtue of this arrangement, the motion of the wheel 41 fore and aft is made to produce a corresponding but different vertical motion of the pin 39 and, correspondingly of the cutting edge 26, and since identical links 31 and 39 are disposed symmetrically on opposite sides of the machine, balanced forces are imposed upon the cutting edge and upon the supporting mechanism.

The configuration of the rail 49 is carefully designed in any contour selected for the particular purposes to be met. In the present instance, to obtain the rapid pumping action, that is, a rapid motion of the cutting edge between its lowermost position and an intermediate position, the rearmost approximately one-third of the rail 49 is rather steeply inclined to the horizontal or to the upper edge of the side beam I4. Thus, a relatively small fore and aft motion of the wheel 41 produces a relatively great vertical motion of the cutting edge 26. This is particularly illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. The cutting edge in Figure 5 is a substantial distance above the ground and the rail wheel 41 is at the forward portion of the rearmost ramp 5| of the rail 49. In Figure 6 the cutting edge is illustrated as being nearly in its lowermost position and the rail wheel 41 is close to the rearmost and lowermost portion of the rear rail ramp 5I. Motion of the rail wheels 41 and a corresponding oscillation of the links 31 and 36 between the positions shown in Figures 5 and 6 and over the rearmost ramp portions 5I produces the rapid pumping action of the cutting edge desired.

The intermediate approximately one-third of the rail 49 constitutes a ramp 52 which is approximately parallel with the upper surface of the side beam I4, and is particularly useful in final leveling or grading operations, as in spreading, since the angle is relatively slight, either with respect to the horizontal or with respect to the side beam and an extended to and fro or fore and aft motion of the rail wheel 41 produces only a very small vertical displacement of the cutting edge 26. Consequently, it is possible very accurately to position the cutting edge with a relatively rough or coarse motion of the supporting links 31 and 38. This range of motion is particularly illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. In Figure 4 the cutting edge is in a relatively high spreading position with the rail wheel 41 at the higher forward end of the ramp 52. In Figure 5 the cutting edge is in a somewhat lower spreading position with the rail wheel 41 at the somewhat lower rearward portion of the ramp 52. While the ramp 5| is not exclusively for pumping and the ramp 52 is not exclusively for leveling, those operations are the usual ones performed in the motion ranges indicated.

Finally, the cam rail 49 is provided with an additional forward ramp 53 which is inclined at such an angle with respect to the horizontal, or particularly with respect to the side beam I4, that a very great deal of fore and aft motion of the wheel 41 is productive of only a very little raising .and lowering motion of the cutting edge 26. As another attribute of this relationship, very great vertical forces, for example, acting generally downwardly along the length of the links 31 and 38 and due to heavy weights in the main bowl I9, are very largely borne by the rails 49 and side beams I4 and I6, with relatively slight fore and aft force components to be resisted by the structure holding the links 31 and 38 in position. Therefore, the ramp 53 is particularly useful, as illustrated in Figure 3, for holding the main bowl in its carrying or transporting condition. Even though fully loaded, the main bowl exerts little more rearward force on the supporting links than is necessary to permit the ready return of the structure by gravity from the carrying position. As illustrated in Figure 3, the camming structure for the main bowl support amounts very nearly to a latch for retaining the main bowl in and near its maximum raised position.

In order to move the links 31 and 38 fore and aft so that the track wheels 41 roll forwardly and rearwardly over the tracks 49, one of the two cables or lines available from the draft tractor is utilized. As particularly illustrated diagrammatically in Figure '7, the line 56 that is effective to control the cutting edge 26 extends rearwardly from the tractor and about a guiding sheave 51. This is appropriaely mounted on the mast I2 to guide the line 56, yet to accommodate relative motion between the earth mover and the tractor. From the sheave 51 the line 56 extends over a guide sheave 58 mounted on the transverse beam I3 and then passes over a directing sheave '59 disposed adjacent a corner of the transverse beam I3.

Just to the rear of the sheave 59 is disposed in a vertical plane for rotation about a horizontal axis a stationary sheave 6|, co-planar with the innermost one of a pair of sheaves 62 and 63 rotatably mounted on the pin 44 of the link 38. The pair of sheaves 62 and 63 are disposed on opposite sides of the rail wheel 41 and are separated therefrom by intermediate walls 64 and 66 joined to a top wall 61 spanning the side plates 42 and 43 of the link 38.

After passing approximately half-way around the sheave 62 the line 56 then extends around a stationary angled sheave 68 mounted adjacent the forward end of the side beam I6 so that the line is transferred from the lower plane of the inner sheave 62 to the upper plane of the outer sheave .63. After passing approximately halfway around the outer sheave 63, the line then extends around a sheave 69 coaxial with and companion to the sheave 6 I, thus completing the reeving for moving the link 38.

If it is considered that the line 56 is held stationary on the sheave 69 and is then te'nsioned, the resulting effect is to shorten the distance between the pair of sheaves 62 and 63 and the companion sheaves 6| and 69 so that the link 38 is moved forwardly and force is exerted on 'When the line 56 is slacked the weight of the .corner of the yoke frame.

parts lowers the cutting edge and withdraws the pair of sheaves 52 and 53 from the vicinityiof the sheaves m and .59.

In order to provide a balanced force on the opposite side of the machine, and also to operate the link '31, the same line 56 is extended from the sheave .69. This is accomplished by the provision .of a corner sheave {H at the top -.of the transverse beam l3, around which the line extends before passing across the structure to a comparable corner sheave 12 at the opposite The line then extends over astationary guide sheave 13 and wraps approximately half-way around the outer one of a .pair of sheaves 14 and H disposed at either side .0f the rail wheel 41 at the upper ,end of the link 3] and journaledato rotate about the axis of the pin :64. From the Outer sheave M the line 56 .ex tends forwardly around an inclined transverse sheave ll, mounted adjacent the forward end of the side beam M. "Then the line passes approximately half-Way around the sheave l8 and is gripped on a convenient stationary portion of the yoke frame by a fastening 18. In accordance with usual practice, the line is led from the gripping device E-i? to a reel 19 of additional line .appropriately disposed on the transverse beam l3. Thus, by tensioning the line 56 equal lifting forces are imparted to the opposite side walls of the main bowl and when the tension is relaxed the main bowl drops by gravity to its former position.

The rear end of the main bowl i9 is closed by apusher, generally designated 8 I, and constituted primarily by an approximately vertical, transversely extending wall spanning nearly all of the distance between the sides 2| and 22 and having its lower edge disposed but slightly above the bottom pan 24. The upper edge of the pusher is reinforced by a transverse beam -82 extending outwardly beyond the sides 2| and 22, being there secured to a pair of side wings 33 and 84 depending outside the upper reinforcing channels 86 of the main bowl H5. The side wings carry guide rollers 8'5 engaging the lower surfaces of the reinforcing channels 85 to assist in regulating the path of travel of the pusher. Transverse guide rollers 88 are also disposed in the wings 133 and 84 to preclude undue transverse displacement of the pusher.

The pusher is generally inclusive of a plate 89 for inner contact with the earth, and provided with appropriate stiffening reinforcements 3| so that the pusher is in effect a stiff diaphragm. It is extended rearwardly by an inverted channel 52 secured to .the reinforcing members 9| of the plate 89 and located :on the center line of the machine. Appropriate angular braces 93 extend from the reinforcements 9| to the rearward portion of the extension channel 92 so that a very stiff structure is afforded. The channel and the pusher as a whole are guided by a housing tube 94 nested within the channel 92 and resting .upon a box ,beam .96 secured to the axle 28 and also fastened in place by appropriate angle braces 91'. p

The tube 9 5, being stationary and firmly held in place, serves as a guide for a plurality of pusher rollers. Atop roller -|-fl| is fastened to rotate on a transverse axis within ,the rearward portion of the channel 92, while lateral rollers 2.92 and 103, respectively, are likewise fastened to the channel S2 to resist :upward thrusts. With this arrangement and with the cooperation 0f the rollers 31 and .88., the pusher 8,| is freely translatable in a rectilinear path through the main bowl 19 from a position at the rear of the main bowl to a position at the forward end of the .main bowl adjacent the cutting edge 26.

The forward end of the main bowl is spanned ;by .a front apron, generally designated I86, including 'a generally arcuate plate disposed between the forwardly extendin portion of the side walls 2| and 22 and having its lower edge generally coincident with the cutting edge 26 when the apron is in its lowermost position, and having its upper edge extended transversel of the main bowl approximately at the same height as the sides 2| and 22 when the apron is in closed position. At each corner the apron is inclusive of extensions I87 and IE8 overlying .theside walls 2| anw 22 and joined to the adjacent one of a pair of side arms I09 and HI, respectively. The side arms are preferably fabricated of shaped metal, forming a channel extending rearwardly. Each of the side arms 19 and I'll at its rearmost end is provided with a connection ||2 pierced by a pivot pin H3, also journaled in the adjacent one of the side wings 83 and 84. Thus, the front apron is mounted for pivotal motion about the transverse axis of the pins H3 and H4 with respect to the pusher 8!.

In addition, other means are utilized to constrain the front apron N18 to the desired motion. Within each of the side arms )9 and ii is located a link H6 or strut, at its rearmost end connected by a pivot pin H! to the walls of the arm I69 or IN and at its forward end connected by a pin I Hi mounted in the adjacent side wall 2| or 22 of the main bowl.

It is at this point that two modifications of the invention are made. In the structure as illustrated in Figure 1, for example, the pivot pin H1 is journaled for pure rotation in the arms H19 and III, as well as in the links MB. In the arrangement as shown diagrammatically in Figure -11, the pin Ill, although journaled or otherwise fixed for pure rotation in the arm ms, is movable in a slot I I9 out in the link |29 otherwise connected by the pin is to the side wall-of the main bowl. Furthermore, while the link -|-|Ei is of normal construction, the link 52:; is provided with a raised abutment 2; adapted to press against a comparable face I22 formed in the link I09 to act as a stop for limiting the motion of the links. Except for these variations the modifications are otherwise the same.

In either event, the arrangement is such that an openin movement of the front apron is productive of ,a similar movement in the side arms I09 and MI, is productive of an accompanying rotation of the links H5 or Hi], and in the case .of the Figure 1 arrangement, is likewise productive of an initial rearward motion of the pusher 8|. But in the modification of Figure 11 the pusher 8| remains stationary while the pin ||l moves in the slot H9 and the abutments |2| and I22 preserve the locations of the pin H8 and H3.

The relative location or disposition of the pivot points H3, H1 and H3 is such that the side arms 19 and the links H5 or 528 constitute in effect a toggle which, in the lowermost position of the front apron, is moved past its center position. Then, as the front apron is lifted, the toggle straightens and as further front apron lift ensues the toggle then buckles in the opposite direction. This arrangement is taken advantage of in connection with a rapid opening of the front apron accompanied by a relatively small motion of the pusher, yet with the pusher' and the front apron virtually being constrained to conjoint motion.

The actual pusher and front apron moving force is derived from a second line I23 extending rearwardly from the tractor under the control of the tractor operator :and passing around a guide sheave I24 mounted on the mast I2 to accommodate the difference in position of the tractor from time to time with respect to the earth mover. The line extends from the sheave I24 to a sheave I25 journaled in a central bracket I26 upstanding from the central beam I3 of the yoke frame I I, approximately n the center line of the device. From the sheave I25 the line I 23 extends to a leverage multiplying mechanism includin a truss lever I21, at its spread lower end connected by a pivot connection I28 to bracket disposed on the rear face of the transverse beam I3. The upper end of the truss lever I21 carries a sheave I29 about which the line I23 passes and from which the line extends to a sheave I30 journaled in the bracket I26.

If it is assumed that the line I23 were fastened on the sheave I30, then tension in the line I23 would cause the sheave I29 to approach the sheave I25, rocking the truss lever I21 about the pivot connection I28 until a stop I3I on the truss lever I21 abutted a stop I32 on the bracket I26. The motion of the truss lever I21 is imparted to the front apron I06 by a connecting line I33 fastened to the truss lever I21, passing about a guide sector I35 incorporated therewith, thence extending over the curved forward face of the front apron to an anchor I40 secured to the forward lower face of the front apron. As the lever I21 rotates in a clockwise direction, as seen in Figure 1, the front apron is correspondingly lifted to the extent of the motion imparted through the connecting line I33, and accompanying motion of the pusher occurs because of the linkage therebetween.

In accordance with my invention, the line I23 is not actually anchored or fixed at the sheave I30 but the force on the line is imposed both on the front apron and on the pusher. The line I23 is led from the sheave I30 over a guide sheave I34 on the cross beam I3 and then to a corner sheave I36 also on the cross beam I3 to extend around a guide sheave I31 mounted on the side wall 2| close to the pivot I8. The line I23 then passes over a side guide sheave I38 near the rear portion of the side wall 2I. drops around a transverse guide sheave I39 to pass thence around a central guide sheave I4I disposed at the rear ward portion of the main bowl. A stationary sheave I42 is mounted at the forward end of the tube 94 and guides the line I23 from the sheave I4I to pass thence to a movable sheave I43 mounted on the inverted channel 92 on the protected inside thereof.

After passing around the sheave I 43, the line I23 extends around a horizontally disposed, stationary sheave I44, secured to the upper side of the tube 94, and then passes around a movable rear sheave I46, coaxial with the sheave I43 but mounted on the opposite side of the interior of the channel 92. The line I23 then extends forwardly to a stationary sheave I41 rotatably mounted at the forward portion of the tube 94, and finally because of the number of. passes of the cable I23,

the pusher forwardly.

10 the force of the cable is multiplied many times and is exerted when the cable is tensioned to urge The multiplication of force is somewhat greater than that accomplished by the leverage mechanism utilized in connection with the front apron I06.

Because of the greater multiplication of force in the cable I23 at the pusher as compared to the front apron, tension exerted in the line I 23 tends to move the pusher forwardly, if it is rather lightly loaded, prior to motion of the front apron. However, the front apron motion tends to occur first in the event the load upon the pusher is very great. To avoid this indeterminancy of action with varying loads, the toggle mechanism comprised of the levers H6 and I09, or I20 and I09, is effective. Since the toggle is past center position in the lower position of the front apron, the initial operation of tensioning the line I23 cannot move the pusher forwardly and is effective in any event quickly to lift the front apron. Although the tensioned line I23 tends to move the pusher forwardly, any forward motion is arrested by the toggle mechanism or a rearward motion of the pusher of a slight extent is produced.

Further tensioning of the line I23 continues to lift the front apron, as disclosed by the change in position between Figures 11 and 12, until the the toggle has passed center and has been "broken in the opposite direction. Thus, the first motion of the line I23 is primarily to afford a very quick and large opening of the front apron, with the pusher during this time being approximately located in its rearmost location. Further tensioning of the line I23 continues to lift the front apron, but is also effective tobegin to urge the pusher forwardly, as permitted by the toggle linkage alone in the case of the Figure 1 arrangement, or as permitted by the pin and slot connection and the contour of the abutting faces I ill and I22 in the Figure 11 modification.

In either event, when the front apron has gotten to the position shown in Figure 13, the

force of the connecting line I33 which previously has been applied with very favorable mechanical advantage has been substantially spent. However, at the same position the toggle linkage has been sufficiently unstraightened that the pusher during its succeeeding forward motion is effective to jack-knife the toggle and thereby continue the opening motion of the front apron to the extreme position, as illustrated in Figure 14. Thus, While a direct cable lift on the front apron starts its opening motion through an initial range, an indirect, link pressure completes the front apron opening motion through a second range. The parts have then been moved from their closed position through intermediate earth releasing and expelling positions to a completely discharged position, as illustrated in Figure 14. In this position the connecting line I33 is inert, the truss arm I21 has become two-blocked with the bracket I26, so that during the final part of the tensioning of the line I23 no motion is imparted to the truss arm I21 and all of the line motion is directly imparted to the pusher.

The return of the parts in many instances can be entirely effectuated by gravity, particularly acting through the front apron, since, due to the toggle arrangement employed, a considerable starting mechanical advantage is available. Yet, in some instances it is not. desired to rely solely upon gravity as a restoring agency and, consequently, I dispose within the tube 94 a coil spring it at its forward end abutting a pierced plate 1-52 closing the forward end of the tube 94 and at its rearward end carrying a cup I53 to which is secured a rod i5 2 passing axially through the spring and through the pierced plate I52 to be secured by a fastening I56 to the pusher 8i.

With this arrangement, during the entire forward motion of the pusher, or if the spring is made somewhat short, during the latter part of the forward motion of the pusher, the spring is compressed and is at its maximum compression when the parts are in their maximum open position, as, shown in Figure 14, Then, upon release of the tension in the line I23 the gravitational effect tending to return the parts is augmented or is entirely replaced by the expanding tendency of the Spring drawing the pusher 8i rearwardly, rotating the front apron in a direction tending again, to straighten the toggle linkage, finally tensioning the connecting line [33, thus return- L ing the truss arm. i2! to its lower position spaced from the bracket [25 and moving the toggle linkage at least to straight-line or dead center position. The unbalanced weight of the front apron then moves the toggle linkage past dead center posltion, moving through the position shown in Figure 15,, and restoring the parts through the position of Figure 12 to the original orientation, as shown in Figure 11. With the modification shown in Fig. 1, wherein the initial lifting of the apron causes slight rearward motion of the pusher until the toggle breaks,"the reverse motion produced upon apron closure causes a slight forward motion of the pusher and a corresponding compression of the spring [5| so that the final apron closure is cushioned.

With the described mechanism all of the usual operations of an earth mover can readily be performed with celerity, with only moderate stresses the controlling lines, with positive action of the moving parts independent of the amount of loading of the structure, and with considerable simplicity of arrangement. The front apron can be opened partl or largely without substantially reducing the capacity of the main bowl by translation of the pusher and possibly with a slight increase in capacity of the main bowl with moderate front apron openings. A load can be acquired even if rapid pumping in sand is necessary and the load can readily be transportedwith but very little strain on the operating cable, due to the inclination of the ramps 53. The load can then be discharged with a uick opening of the front apron and positive and'conioint timed operation of the pusher, with great mechanical advantage through the toggle linkage in starting the main bowl load, yet with quick expulsion thereof as the front apron is emptied. A very accurate depth of spreading can be maintained and at the conclusion of the discharge operation, the parts can be rapidly restored by gravity and by spring to closed position, ready for resetting and reloading.

I claim;

1. An earth mover comprising a bowl; a pusher movable within said bowl; a, front apron pivoted to said pusher upon a first axis; a link pivoted to said main bowl upon a second axis; and means pivoting said link to said front apron and movable across a line intersecting said first axis and said second aXis.

2. An earth, mover comprising a main bowl; a pusher constrained to translation within said main bowl and having a. pair of forwardly extending members; a pair of links pivoted at their forward ends to said main bowl; a front apron having a pair of side arms; means pivoting said side arms to said members; and means pivoting said side arms to the rearward ends of said links to form toggles movable through dead center position.

3. An earth mover comprising a main bowl, a pusher constrained to move in said bowl, a link articulated on said bowl, an apron having an arm joined to said pusher and to said link to form a toggle movable through a dead center position, and means for applying a force to said apron for moving said toggle through said dead center position,

4. An earth mover comprising a 'bowl, a pusher constrained to move in said bowl, a link articulated to said how], an apron having an arm joined to said pusher and to said link to form a toggle movable through a dead center position, and means for applying a force to said pusher to resist motion of said toggle through said dead center position and for applying a superior force to said apron for moving said toggle through said dead center position.

5. earth mover comprising a bowl, a pusher movable within said bowl, an apron movable to close and to open said bowl, a pivot connection between said apron and said pusher, a link, a pivot connection between said link and said bowl, a lost motion connection between said apron and said link, and means for taking up the lost motion in said connection b moving said apron to a predetermined position.

6. An earth mover comprising a bowl, an apron movable to close and open said bowl, a yoke frame supporting said bowl, a member pivoted on said yoke frame for arcuate. movement in a longitudinal vertical plane, said member having a longitudinally extending arcuate guide portion, cable means secured to said member and extending over said guide portion, means attaching sai'dcable means to said apron, and other cable means for arcuately moving said member to move said apron.

7-. .An earth mover comprising a bowl, an apron movable to close and. open said bowl, a yoke frame supporting said bowl, a member pivoted on said yoke frame for arcuate movement in a longitudinal vertical plane, cable means connected between said apron and the free end of said member, said member extending rearwardly from saidv yoke frame with the free end of said member overlying said apron when in bowlclosing position, and other cable means engaging said member and extending substantially horizontally when said member is in said bowlclosing position for moving said member arcuately to move said apron toward bowl-opening position.

8. An earth mover comprising a bowl, a yoke frame connected to said bowl, an apron movable to close and open saidbowl, a member pivoted on said yoke frame for arcuate movement in substantially the vertical center plane of said earth mover, a cable connecting the free end of said member with said apron, means for moving said member in said plane to move said apron, and means. for additionally moving said apron and slacking-.5 said cable.

9. An earth mover comprising a bowl, a yoke frame connected to said. bowl, an apron movable to close and open said bowl, a member pivoted on said yoke frame. for arcuate movement in substantially the vertical center plane of said earth mover, a cable connecting the free end of said member with said apron, other cable means for moving said member in said arcuate path to move said apron through a first range, and means actuated by said other cable means for additionally moving said apron through a second range and slacking said, first mentioned cable means.

10. An earth mover comprising a bow1,-a pusher within said bowl movable to discharge material therefrom, an apron efiective to move to release earth from said bowl, means for simultaneously urging said pusher and said apron so to move, means interconnecting said pusher, said bowl and said apron including a toggle linkage movable through dead center position for preventing such movement of said pusher, said means having provision for breaking said toggle upon a predetermined movement of said apron.

11. An earth mover comprising a bowl, a pusher effective to move to discharge earth from said bowl, an apron effective to move to release earth from said bowl, means for simultaneously urging said pusher and said apron so to move, a toggle linkage movable through dead center position connecting said pusher to said bowl for preventing such movement of said pusher, and means connecting said apron to said toggle linkage to break said toggle and permit movement of said pusher upon predetermined movement of said apron.

12. An earth mover comprising a bowl, a pusher for being moved to discharge earth from said bowl, an apron movable to close said bowl and to open to permit the discharge of material, actuating means, means connecting said actuating means to said pusher for effecting movement thereof, means connecting said actuating means to said apron for effecting movement thereof, means connecting said pusher to said bowl adjustable to a position for preventing discharge movement of said pusher and to positions permitting such movement, and" means connecting said apron to said adjustable means arranged to move said adjustable means from movementpreventing to movement-permitting positions upon a predetermined movement of said apron.

13. An earth mover comprising a bowl adapted to contain material, a pusher within said bowl movable to discharge material therefrom, an apron movable to close and to open said bowl, a cable, means connecting said cable to said pusher, means connecting said cable to said apron whereby movement of said cable tends to effect movement of said pusher and said apron, means for moving said cable, means connecting said pusher to said bowl adjustable to a position for preventing discharge movement of said pusher and to positions permitting such movement, and means connecting said apron to said adjustable means arranged to move said adjustable means from movement-preventing to movement-permitting positions upon a predetermined movement of said apron.

14. An earth mover comprising a bowl adapted to contain material, a pusher within said bowl movable to discharge material therefrom, a front apron movable to close and to open said bowl, actuatin means, means connecting said actuating means to said pusher, means connecting said actuating means to said apron, means for operating said actuating means, said actuating means being so arranged and connected that movement thereof tends to cause simultaneous movement of said pusher and said apron, and a toggle linkage movable through dead center position con- 1'4 necting' said pusher to said bowl for preventing such movement of said pusher when moved through dead center, and means connecting said apron to said toggle linkage to break said toggle and permit movement of said pusher after predetermined movement of said apron.

15. An earth mover comprising a bowl, a pusher movable within said bowl to discharge material therefrom, an apron pivoted on said pusher movable to open and to close said bowl, means for simultaneously urging said pusher and apron to move to open said apron and discharge material from said bowl, means connecting said pusher to said bowl adjustable to a position for preventing such movement of said pusher, and means connecting said apron to said adjustable means arranged to move such adjustable means from movement-preventing to movement-permitting positions upon a predetermined movement of said apron, said adjustable means and said connecting means acting to effectuate further movement of said apron upon movement of said pusher.

16. 'An earth mover comprising a bowl, a pusher movable within said bowl to discharge material therefrom, an apron pivoted on said pusher movable to open and to close said bowl, means for simultaneously urging said pusher and apron to move to open said apron and discharge material from said bowl, a toggle linkage movable through dead center position connecting said pusher to said bowl for preventing such.

movement of said pusher, and means connecting said apron to said toggle linkage to break said toggle and permit movement of said pusher after predetermined movement of said apron, said linkage and connecting means acting to effectuate further movement of said apron upon movement of said pusher.

17. An earth mover comprising a bowl, a pusher within said bowl movable to discharge earth therefrom, an apron movable to open and to close said bowl, a toggle linkage movable through dead center position for preventing such movement of said pusher having one link thereof pivoted to said pusher and another link pivoted to said bowl, and means connecting said apron to said linkage to break the toggle and permit movement of said pusher upon predetermined movement of said apron.

18. An earth mover comprising a bowl, a pusher within said bowl movable to discharge earth therefrom, an apron movable to open and to close said bowl, a toggle linkage movable through dead center position for preventing such movement of said pusher having one link thereof pivoted to said pusher and another link pivoted to said bowl, and rigid means fixed to said first linkage member and connected to said apron, said linkage and said connecting means acting to prevent movement of said pusher until said toggle is broken and thereafter acting during further movement of said pusher to move said apron to open position.

19. An earth mover comprising a bowl, a pusher within said bowl movable to discharge material therefrom, a yoke frame, a front apron movable with respect to said yoke fram through plural ranges between a position closing said bowl and a position opening said bowl, connecting members between said pusher and said bowl, first means actin in tension between said yoke frame and said apron independently of movement of said bowl for moving said apron within one range, and means associated with said 15 connecting members for moving said apron within a second range independently of said first means.

20. An earth mover comprising a bowl, a pusher within said bowl movabl to discharge material therefrom, an apron movable through plural ranges between a position closing said bowl and aposition opening said bowl, and means interconnecting said bowl, said pusher and said apron controlled by said apron during movement thereof through a first range for arresting movement of said pusher, said means being operated by said pusher during movement thereof for moving said apron through a second range.

LOIELL L. HYLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number 1 6 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Le Tourneau Aug. 16, 1938 Le Bleu' Feb. 21, 1939 Daniels 1 Sept. 12, 1939 French Oct. 1, 1940 Le Bleu Dec. 10, 1940 Hail'e Sept. 16, 1941 Austin et al. Mar. 10', 1942 Bird Mar. 31, 1942 Le Tour-neau July 7, 1942 Le Tournea'u July '1', 1942 Daniels Nov. 3, 1942 Low Nov. 17, 1942 Le Bleu Dec. 15, 19 12 Low -1 June 1, 19 13 Austin Sept. 1 1, 1943 Brownet a1 Nov. 21, 1944.- Hoar Oct. 23, 1945 Daniels Aug. 12, 1947 

